Where Do Bass Go In Fall? (And How To Catch Them!)

Don't worry, we can help! As the nights get cooler and your water temperatures begin to drop, you might notice the fish you've been catching are beginning to disappear. At first the cooler nights help, the fish become more active and start feeding on baitfish throughout the day but the farther we get into Fall, the fish start behaving differently and in some cases, they disappear completely. Where do they go and how can you keep catching them? Let's find out...

As we progress through Fall there are two distinct groups of bass. The Fish that go shallow will ambush baitfish around cover. If grass is present they will congregate in the liveliest grass beds, if not they will use pockets along the shoreline to corral bait. The deep fish have already made the transition to hard bottom. You will find them congregated around rock with quick deep water access. 

As the nights get cooler, the water temperatures drop, and grass begins to die. The shallow fish will begin to behave like their deep water counterparts and immediately move to hard structure. You'll find them on laydown trees, dock pilings, and rock. Just like the deep water fish, the best spots to find shallow fish will be where they have quick access to deep water. As this transition happens the baits we use to target them will immediately change. 

Below you'll find a breakdown of the baits we have the most confidence in during Fall. We've separated them for shallow and deep water fishing to make it easier for you to choose the right options for where you fish. Many of these techniques will be discussed in-depth in the coming weeks and months but we wanted to give you a head start on them now so you're prepared as the transition happens. All of the bait and gear links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Tim's Shallow Baits For Fall... 

Squarebill- Lucky Craft 1.5 (BP Golden Shiner): http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

Frog- Live Target Hollow Body 65 (Bright Green): http://bit.ly/2Q40BAk

Walking Bait- Teckel Kicknocker (Lime Ice): http://bit.ly/2nvxkoA

Swimbait- Keitech 4.8" Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Underspin- Owner 1/8 oz Flashy Swimmer 5.0: http://bit.ly/2e8O4Y7

Tim's Deep Baits For Fall... 

Crankbait- Tactical DD Crank 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

Favorite Colors: Mirrored Minnow, Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow

Tail Spin- Jackall Deracoup 3/4 oz (Dera Shad): http://bit.ly/2p8X4b0

Blade Bait- Damiki Vault 1/2 oz (Black Holo): http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Spoon- Blade Runner 1 3/4 oz Duh Spoon (Morning Dawn UV): http://bit.ly/2aKVLlG

Jig- Dirty Jigs 1/2 oz Pitchin Jig (Go To): http://bit.ly/2amL3of

Jig Trailer- RI Sweet Beaver (Green Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/29W3RZW

Tim's Tactical Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- 12 lb Sunline Crank FC: https://bit.ly/3fohguC

Tim's Tail Spinner Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL HG: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Speed Cranking Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'2" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Reel- Shimano SLX 150 DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- 12 lb Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Bank Fishing and Kayaking Small River For Bass and Musky!

This creek is FULL of bass and musky! Come along as we drift a new river in search of anything that will bite! We find smallmouth, largemouth, and GIANT muskie as we kayak through deep pools and shallow riffles. With no expectations and no information we adapt to the changing conditions, catching fish on everything from topwater to crankbaits. We even get the opportunity to throw big baits at some fired up musky!

Today’s video is all about relaxing and having a good time. When we arrived in East Tennessee we knew that river drifting in the kayaks was going to be a great opportunity for all sorts of species and this is our first chance to get out and try it. We anticipated big smallmouth in this stream but we had no idea that 4’ long predators would be lurking in every pool! Thankfully Matt had packed a travel rod and a couple big baits just in case… while he never connected on a musky, he had multiple opportunities throughout the day as fish chased and reacted to his glide bait. 

If you’ve never considered travel rods they’re a great option for bringing rods along in tight spaces like the kayak. We use travel rods when traveling out of the country but they’ve proven to be invaluable for last second trips. Because they pack down  so small they’re great for keeping in the car, truck, or kayak “just in case”.  

Below you’ll find a breakdown of the gear we were using throughout the day including the rods, travel rods, and kayaks. The bait and equipment links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. The kayak link goes directly to the manufacturer's website where you can get more information on the Sportsman Series kayak. 

Topwater... 

-Megabass Pop X Popper: https://bit.ly/3i9T3sg

-River2Sea Whopper Plopper 75 (Phantom Shad): http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV

Ned Rig... 

Bait- Roboworm 3" (Black Blue Pumpkin): http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Hook- Swagger Tungsten 1/8 oz Ned Head: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Stick Bait... 

Bait- Yamamoto 4" Senko (Watermelon): http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Hook- Gamakatsu Weedless Finesse Wide Gap Size 1: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Finesse Swimbait... 

Bait- Keitech 4" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Hook- Dirty Jigs 1/8 oz Guppy Head 1/0: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Crankbait... 

Bait- Megabass Super-Z Z1 Squarebill: https://bit.ly/2Y9dkHB

Colors: Mat Craw 2, Wild Craw

Glidebait... 

Bait- River2Sea S-Waver 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

Color: Bone

Kayak...

Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136: https://bit.ly/3h9ngaS

Finesse Crankbait Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 7'2" Deep Flex 864 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- Sunline Assassin 10 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Finesse Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel- Shimano Ultegra 1000: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

Line- Power Pro 15 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Budget Finesse Spinning Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 8 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Travel Rods are an amazing option when space and storage are an issue. Today Matt was using an older version of an F5 Swimbait travel rod paired with a Tranx 300 casting reel. There are a variety of widely available travel rods at various budgets to meet the needs of every angler. If you're interested in giving them a try here are some of our favorites. 

Travels Rods... 

High End Casting- Megabass Triza Series: https://bit.ly/2Glg3au

Budget Casting- Daiwa Ardito TR Travel: https://bit.ly/36f22pT

Budget Spinning- Daiwa Ardito TR Travel: https://bit.ly/3n3MIT2

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

• TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Fall Jerkbait Fishing! Everything You Need To Know!

Can you think of a better bait to catch bass in the Fall? Just the idea of Fall jerkbait fishing gets us excited to head to the lake! Jerkbaits are part of a very small group of lures that "trigger" a feed response in bass. Yes they catch aggressive bass, but if you know how to work them properly you can actually get lethargic bass to react and eat when they're not even in a feeding mood! Come along as we explore the world of jerkbait fishing!  

Jerkbait fishing is not a basic technique but its one that anyone, even a beginner angler, can learn. When fished properly the jerkbaits ability to draw bass in and trigger a feed response is remarkable! The key to the technique is in the equipment. We almost never emphasize equipment over technique but this is one category where an angler can have all the right mechanics but paired with the wrong equipment, the bait still won't work properly. 

In today's video Matt begins by explaining exactly what you should look for in a jerkbait rod/reel combo. He also gives some key tips about adapting your existing equipment for a jerkbait. There are some changes you can make including fishing smaller reel sizes and braided line that will help improve your jerkbait fishing even without owning a dedicated jerkbait rod.

Now, choosing the right baits is a whole different animal. While we didn't lean as heavy into the specific lures in today's video we promised to do exactly that in the video description. Below you will find a very detailed breakdown of the baits as well as the rod and reel combos we recommend. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

The baits are separated by depth range so you can easily decide between shallow, medium, and deep divers to match the waters you fish. The colors recommendations are universal and will work around the country but if you're just starting out lean toward the ghost colors in clear water, the reflective colors in stained water, and the bold (chartreuse or white) in murky water. 

Upgrading hooks is also a major consideration once you bend out the stock hooks. Its very difficult to find replacement hooks for jerkbaits without impacting the sink rates of the baits and hurting their action. Luckily, we've found excellent replacement hooks for you and have linked those below between the baits and the rod/reel combos. 

Shallow Jerkbaits... 

-Jackall Rerange 110: http://bit.ly/2ge0qED

(Blue Pearl Shad, Ghost Wakasagi, HL Hasu)

-Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

(GP Pro Blue,  ITO Tennessee Shad, Killer Kawaguchi)

-Lucky Craft Flash Pointer 115: http://bit.ly/2aHz588

(American Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow)

Mid-Depth Jerkbaits... 

-Jackall Rerange 110 MR: https://bit.ly/2CbWr6X

(RT Holo Minnow, HL Hasu, SG Threadfin)

-Megabass Vision 110+1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

(GP Pro Blue, ITO Tennessee Shad, Elegy Bone)

Deep Diving Jerkbaits... 

-Megabass Vision 110+2: http://bit.ly/2BLQIBA

(MB Gizzard, Elegy Bone, ITO Tennessee Shad)

-Lucky Craft Staysee 90: http://bit.ly/2dBzMmz

(American Shad, Ghost Minnow, Chartreuse Shad)

-Lucky Craft Pointer 100 DD: http://bit.ly/2e0sQj7

(American Shad, Chartreuse Shad, Ghost Minnow)

Smaller and Oversized Jerkbaits... 

Smaller-Megabass Vision 110 Jr: http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

(GP Pro Blue, Deadly Black Shad)

Bigger- Megabass Oneten Max LBO: https://bit.ly/3dfhL9y

(ITO Tennessee Shad, MB Gizzard)

Hook and Split Ring Upgrades... 

Hook- Gamakatsu Finesse Nano Trebles: http://bit.ly/2dWWAut

(Size 5 and 6 will fit all of the baits except Pointer DD and Max LBO)

Split Ring- Owner Hyperwire Black: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

(Size 2 for all baits except Pointer DD and Max LBO, They use size 3)

Matt's Favorite Jerkbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Aldebaran 50 MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Line- Sunline Assassin 10 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Jerkbait Combo... 

Rod- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Reel- Shimano SLX MGL 70 (Pre-Order Available): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

Line- Sunline Assassin 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Other Great Jerkbait Rods... 

-Megabass Orochi XX 6'11" Jerkbait Special: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

-Megabass Destroyer Oneten Special: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

-G Loomis IMX Pro 812 JBR: http://bit.ly/2QurcHi

-St Croix Legend Elite 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2z2qdHc

-St. Croix Bass X 6'8" medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Lipless Crankbait Tricks To Catch Bigger Bass This Fall

Lipless crankbaits catch giant bass! They are incredible producers when fished around shallow grass and vegetation but are equally effective in deep water. You can keep your lipless fishing simple and you'll catch a lot of fish this Fall, or you can jump down the rabbit hole with us into a whole different world of lipless fishing where we'll teach you how to use different baits, styles, and modifications to catch more fish!

Many anglers think of a lipless as a bait to cast out and wind back. A simple "chuck and wind" is effective but there is so much more you can do with these baits. From hopping bottom in deep water, to ripping grass in the shallows, the possibilities are almost endless. Tim is a lipless fanatic with the fish catches to back what he's teaching. If you want to take it to the next level, pay close attention to the details. From sink rates to color selection to hook tricks, Tim is giving away all the details in today's video. 

All of the baits described in the video are linked below. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. We've included our favorite colors, the equipment we use to throw them, and the hook and gear upgrades we use to land more of the fish we hook. 

If you could only have one... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Color: American Shad

Lipless Cranks... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

Favorite Colors: American Shad, Ghost Minnow, Spring Craw

-6th Sense Quake 70: http://bit.ly/2Kxt4zm

Favorite Colors: Chrome Threadfin, Shad Hammer, Delta Craw

-Jackall TN-70 + TN-50: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

Favorite Colors: Super Shad, SG Threadfin, RT Escape Craw

-Strike King Red Eye shad 2 Tap: http://bit.ly/2gmACC5

Favorite Colors: Delta Red, Silver TN Shad, Smoky Chrome Blue

-Damiki Tremor: http://bit.ly/2fVt8H6

Favorite Colors: American Shad, Black Holo, Soft Shell

-Cotton Cordell Super Spot: http://bit.ly/2y3K210

Favorite Colors: Chrome Blue, Royal Red, Copper Craw

Blade Baits... 

-Damiki Vault: http://bit.ly/2rnO7e2

Favorite Colors: Black Holo, Real Shad

-Jackal Keeburn: http://bit.ly/2or8sy0

Favorite Colors: Clear Shad, Silver

Hook and Hardware Upgrades... 

Gamakatsu EWG (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

Owner ST-56 (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW

Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 3-4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Owner STX-38 Zo Wire (Size 6-8): http://bit.ly/2oNIeCD

Our Favorite Lipless Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Reel- Shimano Bantam 150 XG: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Affordable Lipless Combo…

Rod- G Loomis E6X 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2G5Bc86

Reel- Shimano SLX DC XG: http://bit.ly/2LWzw2Q

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 30 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Maxima Ultragreen 15 lb Mono: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Lipless Combo... 

Rod- Dobyns Fury 705 CB (7' Med Heavy Cranking): http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Line- Sunline Assassin Fluorocarbon 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G